MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU hockey team welcomed the Augustana University Vikings to the Berry Events Center for the first time in history, playing to a 2-2 tie before falling in the shootout 0-1. 

The 'Cats struggled in the first period, going down 0-2 after the first 20 minutes. It was all NMU after that, scoring a goal in both the second and the third period before out-working the Vikings in the final 10 minutes of the third period. It was all NMU towards the end of the third and the overtime frame, but the 'Cats were unable to score in either frame. The 'Cats skated to a shootout, the first since 2021, falling 0-1 to the Vikings.

The Wildcats record now changes to 6-7-2 overall, and the Vikings record moves to 4-7-2.





Hear From Grant Potulny
Cat Nips

• Michael Colella scored his fourth goal of the season and extended his scoring streak to three games (3-0--3)
• Michael Mesic scored his third goal of the season, extending his point total to five
• Isack Bandu registered two helpers, his first career multi-point game, extending his point total to three
• Both Connor Eddy and Matvei Kabanov added assists, bringing their season point totals to seven and three, respectively
• Beni Halasz stopped 25 of 27 shots faced, a .926 sv%
• Artem Shlaine led all centermen with 17 faceoff wins
• The 'Cats outshot the Vikings 43-27, went 5/5 on the PK and 0/4 on the PP, and won 40/69 faceoffs
• This is the first time the 'Cats participated in a shootout since Nov. 27, 2021 (vs. Bowling Green, NMU won 2-1 in four rds)

How It Happened
1st Period
The Vikings were able to strike first, just under two minutes into the frame. Brett Meerman found a loose puck that evaded a Wildcat defender and streaked in on goal with a breakaway. Meerman didn't get a lot on the shot, but enough to beat Halasz low to the glove side, giving the Vikings a 1-0 lead. 

Not two minutes later, a Viking shot from the point pinballed around in the slot in front of Halasz, hit a Wildcat defender, and deflected past Halasz, making it 2-0 Vikings under five minutes in.

The 'Cats skated to the locker room down two goals, being outshot 10-9, and 0/2 on both power play opportunities (one was cut short, however, as NMU took a penalty seconds into the advantage). 

2nd Period
The Wildcats were able to cut the lead in half just before the halfway mark of the middle frame. Isack Bandu made a diving play to keep the puck onside before walking down the right wing and making a slick backhand pass to Matvei Kabanov on the far post. Kabanov made a one-touch pass to find Michael Colella on the opposite post, who had a wide-open net to deposit his fourth goal of the season. 

The Wildcats recorded a much better second period, scoring a goal and out-shooting the Vikings 16-7. The 'Cats went 3/3 on the PK, along with winning 15/24 face-offs. 

3rd Period
The 'Cats opened the period strong, evening up the game under five minutes in. Connor Eddy made a great play along the boards to steal the puck from a Viking and send it to Bandu at the point. Bandu let a slapshot go that Kotai wasn't able to handle, and Michael Mesic was on the doorstep to hammer home the rebound. 

Just under halfway through, the 'Cats were whistled twice for infractions, and the Wildcats were staring at a 5-on-3. Between crucial saves from Halasz and blocks from Viking Gustafsson Nyberg, Colby Enns, and Tyrell Boucher, the 'Cats successfully killed the penalties and returned to full strength. 

The 'Cats dominated play after the kill but were unable to get one past the keeper. The 'Cats out-shot the Vikings 17-7 in the final 20, along with killing both the 5-on-3. 

Overtime
The teams both generated chances but were unable to break through in the overtime period.

Shootout
Luke Mobley scored in the shootout exhibition, and the game finalized in a 2-2 tie.

Up Next
Game two against the Vikings comes to the Berry Events Center tomorrow night